Art is an important part of any decor scheme, and we'd actually go so far as to say that it's what makes a house a home. Selecting and purchasing art can be an intimidating process, though. With this in mind, this week's blog will focus on how to choose art for your home and what mistakes to avoid when doing so.

Art is a place where you can and should express yourself. Your likes, passions, interests, hobbies, even your favorite colors should all be conveyed in your art choices. Although we give a lot of general design advice in this blog, art is a place where you should throw all of those rules and principles out the window and go with your gut. The colors, textures, and content of what you're drawn to say something about you; that's a story you should tell and what better place than your home, after all.

Our number one recommendation when it comes to art, then, is to choose from your heart. That way, you'll never choose wrong. For this very reason, we recommend waiting to purchase anything until a piece really, truly moves you. This doesn't mean that you should leave art selection for last in the decorating process, using it to fill in gaps and bring the room together. On the contrary, if you love a piece, you should absolutely get it and use it to inform your decorating choices.

In our Urban Parlor project, we based the colors in the room around this painting that our clients already owned.

We love how the colors in this painting don't match exactly with the furniture but definitely go with it. Image via Pinterest

So how do you go about selecting art? Be ready to act fast. Art is often one-of-a-kind and you don't want to miss out on something that speaks to your soul. We also suggest attending local art events to get acquainted with emerging artists in your city. It doesn't matter who the artist is or how well known he or she is, what matters is that their work speaks to you in a meaningful way. In the same vein, quality art doesn't have to be expensive; it's more about something resonating with you than it is about a particular piece being pricey so therefore it's "good".

We're obsessed with the colors and themes in this gallery wall. Image via Pinterest

The simplicity of this painting, when paired with the tufted headboard and printed pillows, is simply stunning. Image via Pinterest

Even though we just said there are no rules when it comes to art, we do have a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure you display your art correctly. After all, what's the point of investing in something so special to you if you don't get to properly enjoy it? The most important suggestion we have is that art should be displayed at eye level. Hang a piece too high or low and it'll get lost. Speaking of hanging, art doesn't necessarily need to be hung. Sometimes a piece looks just right perched atop a dresser or leaning against a wall. Another tip is to use correct scale. If your art is too small, it will just look silly when hung in a large room. But again, there really are no rules. If you're going to hang a huge, oversize piece in a not-so-huge room, have fun going for it; in other words, make it obvious that the off-kilter scale is intentional and not a design faux-pas.

The above is a good example of how to lean paintings for a cool effect. Bonus points for layering pieces and adding in decorative objects! Image via Pinterest

Here we have leaning art and an oversize scale, which somehow totally works. Image via Pinterest

Another example of an oversize piece of art working in a space. Image via Pinterest

So there you have it! Remember that above all else, art is supposed to be fun so don't take it too seriously and choose what you fill your space with at the heart level.Written by Amanda Barkley. Designer at Rae Duncan Interior Design

Modern and contemporary are terms often used interchangeably to describe a certain design look, but these styles aren't the same at all. As a matter of fact, they're actually quite different. In our first blog of 2018, we're going to cover the differences between these two design styles and share some pictures of a modern condo renovation we recently completed!

In interior design, the term "modern" is mainly used in reference to midcentury modern design, which was the design aesthetic popular in the mid-20th century. This style has its roots in the Modernist movement that began in the late 1800s. Its main influences are the German Bauhaus schools of design and the International style, which grew from the Bauhaus style in America. Scandinavian design, with its emphasis on simplicity and function, also played a role in the development of midcentury modern design.

Midcentury modern designs feature clean, unadorned interiors. These designs can be viewed as a rejection of the ornate flourishes popular in other design styles such as Gothic and Victorian. Midcentury modern designers believed that form followed function and as a result, built-ins and hidden storage are often features of these designs. There is also a lack of clutter, with sleek lines in both organic and geometric forms taking precedent. The midcentury color palette tends to veer more neutral and when color is used, it is bold primary colors serving as a pop. Walls are usually white and floors are typically left bare; if rugs are used, they are usually made of a sturdy material like wool.

Natural materials like wood, leather, teak, and linen are common in midcentury modern interiors, as is the use of molded plywood, plastic, and polished metals. In particular, stainless steel and chrome are huge in midcentury modern designs. Open floor plans are also popular in this design style.

So if the above sums up the midcentury modern style, what is contemporary design? Simply put, contemporary design is what's being created and produced right now. It's dynamic and constantly changes as trends go in and out of style. The reason why contemporary and modern design are sometimes confused is that midcentury modern is a popular style right now and is being incorporated into contemporary designs. But unlike the contemporary style, midcentury modern design is a fixed entity; it is a design style that won't ever change since it refers to a certain moment in time (the 1920s to the 1950s).

Now that that's covered, let's get onto the fun stuff. Our most recently completed project was a modern condo in the Gold Coast. Our clients were moving from a suburban home in central Illinois and wanted their new city condo to feel modern and sleek. We think it was mission accomplished!

The bare wood floors are accented by a navy blue wool rug.

The kitchen contains several modern elements: a custom glass built-in, leather barstools, and metal finishes.

Midcentury modern chairs complement a beautiful view.

Another glimpse into the modern space.

And because we're RDID, we had to have fabulous built-ins that fit with the condo's modern design aesthetic.

Over Thanksgiving, Rae went to Europe to visit her best friend, who lives in Belgium. While there, they took a girls trip to Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. Her pictures and stories from the trip got us to thinking about European architecture in general, then the architecture of the Canary Islands, and then we finally settled on obsessing over the gorgeousness that is Tenerife architecture. And voila, this blog post was born. So sit back and get ready to learn all about the incredible architecture found on this tiny island. You may want to keep your wallet within reach in case the beautiful images that follow inspire you to book a European getaway.

A sunset that Rae actually saw in person. Color us jealous!

First things first, a little background on the Canary Islands is in order. They are a Spanish archipelago located off the northwestern coast of Africa. Tenerife boasts beautiful beaches, luxurious beachside resorts, and a vibrant nightlife. More than this, though (and more to our liking anyway), it has a rich architectural history inspired by the island's own history.

A stunning view from Rae's hotel

The Canary Islands feature a distinct blend of architectural styles, thanks in part to the Spanish influence on the islands. Colonization by the Spanish in the 15th century introduced Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture to the islands, with neoclassical influences arriving later, in the 18th century to be exact. Natives to the Canary Islands put their own touch on the styles brought over by the Spanish, using the materials that were available to them. For example, whitewashed and pastel-colored houses were more popular than say, the heavy stone and dark wood treatment the Spanish preferred.

Lighter colors feature in this hallway Rae saw

Today, these houses sit happily alongside Gothic churches; the cave homes of the Guanche people, who are indigenous to the islands; and a recent surge of contemporary structures, with nature serving as a beautiful backdrop to all this. In addition, a blend of Christian and Islamic art called Mudéjar forms an important part of the Canary Islands' culture.

Another gorgeous hotel view, courtesy of Rae

So why do the Canary Islands — and Tenerife in particular — boast such a high concentration of contemporary buildings, particularly for such a relatively small amount of land (for comparison, the island of Tenerife is only a fraction of the size of Rhode Island)? For starters, government officials have embraced international architecture competitions and architects are also well respected on the islands. These factors have contributed to the hybrid of the old and the new that is Tenerifian architecture today.

Let's start with the old. The oldest building on Tenerife is the Church of Our Lady of the Conception, located in the city of La Laguna. Built in 1502 by the Spanish, the building mixes neo-Gothic and neoclassical styles. The facade is neoclassical, while the main body of the church is neo-Gothic in style.

The Church of Our Lady of the Conception is a hybrid of neo-Gothic and neoclassical styles. Image via Pinterest

Now, onto the modern. The Adán Martín Auditorium is one of the most well-known architectural masterpieces on the Canary Islands. Inspired by the profile of a wave and built entirely out of concrete, the auditorium's roofline arcs 190 feet off the ground. The Magma Conference Center, designed by Fernando Menis, is another of Tenerife's must-see modern buildings. Menis designed the building to mimic the feeling, volume, and structure of a volcano.

So there you have it, a spotlight on the stunning architecture of Tenerife, complete with pictures from Rae's personal travels. Stay tuned for where she goes next — you never know, maybe there'll be another blog post about it!

We couldn't leave you without one last picture! Here's a beautiful flower wall Rae saw in Tenerife

The new year is rapidly approaching, and with it comes a shift in home decor trends (but unfortunately for us, not the weather). In this installment of the RDID blog, we're going to discuss the home design trends that will be big in 2018 as well as our reasoning as to why these particular trends are gaining momentum on the design scene.

Arguably the biggest trend we're seeing for the coming year is a focus on cozy, welcoming spaces. We're noticing people placing a renewed importance on harmony and connection, both with themselves and the Earth at large. We can trace the origins of this trend to how hectic our lives are and how ubiquitous technology has become. People want an escape, a refuge, a return to a simpler time, if you will. Following this, simplicity in lines and shapes will be popular in 2018. Lately, people are preferring clean lines on furniture and other decor. In addition, there is a big emphasis on natural forms.

One of the biggest trends of 2018 will be a focus on cozy, welcoming spaces. Image via Pinterest

Part of this nostalgia entails a return to "earthen luxury". One aspect of this trend is the resurgence of tribal patterns in home decor. Handcrafted objects made from organic materials such as terra cotta are also gaining popularity. It's important to people that they see the handmade quality of their objects, whether they are ceramic vases or knit blankets. Nowadays, people like seeing small imperfections and blemishes in their things because it reminds them that the objects weren't mass produced.

Following this line of thought is the philosophy of Wabi-sabi. This ancient Japanese worldview, which places emphasis on finding beauty in imperfections, is gaining momentum and may very well turn out to be the decor trend of 2018. According to Wabi-sabi, wear and tear actually makes things more, not less, beautiful. The Wabi-sabi worldview centers on impermanence and imperfection, so naturally it embraces authenticity and the use of organic materials, even and especially at the expense of so-called perfection.

In Wabi-sabi, perceived imperfections such as a slightly off-center bowl are celebrated. Image via Pinterest

Another trend that will make a big splash in 2018 is dark wood. People are leaning away from the blonde woods and Scandinavian style that have been so popular recently, and are instead gravitating toward woods like rosewood and walnut, which tend to be warmer in hue and often feature veining. Mango wood, with its golden brown color, is also proving popular, as is Shou Sugi Ban, which is wood that has been burnt or charred to produce a striking blackened effect.

Rosewood will be another popular wood, as trends shift toward warmer woods. Image via Pinterest

In terms of color, we'll be seeing a trend toward soft, warm colors that evoke a cozy feeling. If you're sick of the gray overload that's taken place in recent years, you're in luck because warm neutrals like beige and brown are back on the scene in a big way. Three more colors that will be huge in the coming year are red, orange, and burnt yellow. Red is striking and speaks of passion, while burnt yellow is lively and unexpected. Orange is another unusual color choice for interiors that we saw all over market in High Point, North Carolina. The great thing about all three of these colors is that they instantly inject warmth into your home (perfect for this chilly time of year!).

Concrete accents are going to be big in 2018. This trend harkens back to the nostalgia for earthen luxury and organic forms and materials we talked about earlier. Concrete is a rugged material that can imbue your space with a sense of strength and durability. Although beautiful, we don't recommend using concrete as a countertop material because it's porous, but luckily there are many alternatives available that offer the same look. Concrete accessories are also chic and allow you to get your fix on this trend without making any permanent changes or a major investment.

Concrete pendants are a fun way to incorporate this trend. Image via Pinterest

Last but not least is a trend that's near and dear to our hearts here at RDID — and that's unusual wall elements, specifically wallpaper-like backsplash and 3-d wall tile. We actually incorporated a backsplash like this when we renovated our office last spring and the end result is stunning, if we do say so ourselves. Intricate tile designs mimic wallpaper but are more durable and they also add interest to any space. 3-d tile is another incredibly cool way to add dimension to a wall and inject it with some personality. As a matter of fact, we're currently working on a contemporary master bathroom renovation that will feature 3-d tile surrounding a two-sided fireplace, so stay tuned for photos and project updates to come!

Well, there you have it: a list of the biggest trends coming your way in 2018. So sit back, relax, and enjoy what remains of 2017 knowing you have a head start on the home decor trends that will be here before you can say "Happy New Year!".

Brace yourselves, because the holiday season is upon us, and we couldn't be more excited. Now, we're all for giving Thanksgiving its due diligence, but there's just something about Christmas trees and twinkly lights that gets us every time. However, there is a fine line between festive and tacky when it comes to holiday decor, so keep reading if you want to learn how to ensure your decor stays on the right side of sophisticated this holiday season.

Let's start off with the basics. Consistency is key with regards to decorating for the holidays, so we suggest that you pick a theme and go with it. A theme can be as simple as a color palette across all rooms of your house. We're partial to a mostly metallic palette to keep things subdued and neutral, with pops of rich burgundy or a beautiful deep green sprinkled in as an accent to break things up. Used sparingly, these colorful accents look luxurious and add holiday cheer in small, elegant doses. As a rule of thumb, you can't go wrong with some combination of white, silver, gold, and bronze for your holiday decor. Another color story we're loving lately is an all gray, white, and black palette. It's unexpected, and if you know anything about RDID, you know we're big fans of the unexpected. Gray, white, and black aren't your traditional holiday colors, and that's why we love them this holiday season — they're cool and edgy without trying too hard. We think the main trait all sophisticated holiday decor has in common is that it's subtle. Try too hard or go too far, and you instantly veer into tacky territory. A gray, white, and black palette is different, subtle, and very on-trend.

Another way you can cultivate consistency in your holiday decor is through the type of foliage you choose to decorate with. We've written about it time and time again, but greenery is such an important element of any home decor but especially holiday decor. There's just something so fundamentally festive about greenery at this time of year. As we mentioned earlier (and apparently can't reiterate enough), we love incorporating unexpected elements into holiday decor for an elegant twist on tradition. What could be more unexpected than succulents in a wreath? This look is an absolutely stunning, chic addition to your decorations arsenal. In terms of greenery, we love it when the final result has a hygge, or Scandinavian, bend to it. It's understated and elegant in the best possible way. An added bonus of incorporating greenery in this way is that rustic elements keep your holiday decor from getting kitschy, since they tend to tone down whatever else you have going on. On this note, we're obsessed with branch candelabras for tabletop decor. They're festive and certainly make a statement but they don't scream "holiday," which means they actually can be used all year round (and believe us, we do!). If you need some added drama in your life, incorporate dark, moody florals amongst your greenery to give it a boost and a pop of color.

Greenery is the focus in this subdued decor vignette. Image via Pinterest

We love this chic centerpiece for the holidays (and the rest of the year). Image via Pinterest

Something else we want to stress is the importance of working decorations around the existing style of your space. If you do this, all that's needed to make a big impact are small tweaks. For instance, restyle your bookshelves for the holidays by swapping out some of your usual objets d'art for more holiday-appropriate objects. These don't have to be glaring, in-your-face holiday-themed objects. Think subtle, like a lighted mini tree here and there or a metallic reindeer atop a stack of books. In addition to bookshelves, you can also holiday-ize your bar cart. Add greenery, candles, metallic accents, even faux fur and you're good to go. These simple swaps can even extend to something as small as pillow decor. Swap out your tried and true throw pillows for something more festive and you'll be feeling the holiday spirit in no time.

Last but not least, remember to have fun decorating for the holidays! Nothing you do is permanent, so take a step back and be playful with your decor choices. A little quirky is always a-okay in our books. Put wreaths in unexpected places, hang stockings somewhere other than the mantle, or dangle ornaments from a chandelier for an updated take on tradition. If you decide it isn't for you, it's easy enough to change. The important thing is to have fun experimenting and getting ready for the holidays. Happy holidays, everyone!

A wreath in an unexpected place will put a smile on your face. Image via Pinterest

Every year, countless paint companies throw their hats in the ring and offer predictions for what the next, best paint color will be. It's about trend forecasting, sure, but the practice goes deeper than that to examine the psychological effect color has on us. Using this information, paint companies can predict which colors will be popular in the coming year. Let's take a look, then, at the paint colors you'll be seeing everywhere in 2018, maybe even in your own house!

Many of the paint colors we'll be mentioning make for a stylish front door. Image via Pinterest

First up is Benjamin Moore's 2018 Color of the Year, Caliente AF-290. Caliente is a deep, saturated red that definitely packs a punch. It makes a statement, no doubt about it. "Strong, radiant, and full of energy, Caliente AF-290 is total confidence. It is pleasing, passionate, and makes people feel special, like 'red carpet treatment,'" says Ellen O'Neill, Director of Strategic Design Intelligence for Benjamin Moore. "Whether used as one note or on four walls, the spirited personality of red turns heads, signaling surprise and adventure. The eye can't help but follow its bold strokes." You might not think so, but Caliente is surprisingly versatile. It pops as an accent color and when used as a room color, it adds a depth and richness that makes the whole room more luxurious. Caliente also transcends design styles, looking as stunning in a modern space as it does in a farmhouse.

Point in case: Caliente looks absolutely stunning as a door color in this light and airy entryway. Image via Pinterest

An accent wall of Caliente adds zest to this midcentury modern dining room. Image via Pinterest

Caliente looks equally at home in this farmhouse loft. Image via Pinterest

Opposite Caliente on the color wheel is Oceanside, Sherwin-Williams's 2018 Color of the Year. Caliente is a deep and moody blue that the company calls "accessible and elusive" at the same time. "People today have a growing sense of adventure, and it is making its way into even the coziest corners of our homes. We are craving things that remind us of bright folklore, like mermaids and expeditions across continents," says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "Oceanside is the color of wanderlust right in our own homes." Like Caliente, Oceanside is also incredibly versatile and is at home in a variety of styles, from traditional all the way to modern. Another thing that makes Oceanside so versatile is that despite its inherent drama, it retains the soothing and tranquil qualities that are characteristic of colors in the blue family.

Painting Oceanside on the wainscoting, walls, and built-ins in this home office creates instant drama. Image via Pinterest

Also a member of the blue family is Behr's first-ever Color of the Year, In the Moment T18-15, a relaxing combination of spruce blue, soft gray, and lush green. "In the Moment speaks to our society's desire to disconnect and be present," says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. "It crosses multiple design styles — global, coastal, modern — and pairs well with other subdued colors to create harmony for interiors or exteriors." A casual and calm blue, In the Moment pairs well with other subdued colors, but it also becomes energetic and vibrant when paired with white.

In the Moment looks calm and serene paired with the dark wainscoting and trim in this dining room. Image via Pinterest

With white accents, In the Moment becomes more energetic. Image via Pinterest

Last but not least is Graham & Brown's choice for 2018 Color of the Year, a dusky pastel pink they've dubbed Penelope. Penelope is a more sophisticated take on the millennial pink phenomenon (read more about that trend here). According to the company, Penelope is "embodied with a beautiful shade of pink with peach undertones that moves this color on from 2017's blush trend." It is inspired by the Greek goddess Penelope, who was known for her faithfulness, patience, and feminine virtue. Don't let the talk of pink and femininity fool you, though. Penelope is a warm and inviting color that's a chic neutral backdrop in a living room or entryway.

As for the long-awaited announcement of Pantone's 2018 Color of the Year, you'll have to wait just a little longer to find out what color overthrows 2017's Greenery for the coveted title. In the meantime, Pantone released eight palettes for the coming year to whet your palette (pardon the pun). Verdure features nature-inspired hues like celery and robin's egg blue and is "symbolic of health," says Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman. Playful is probably the most fun palette of the bunch, featuring colors like Minion Yellow and Lime Popsicle. Discretion is a sharp departure from Playful, with desaturated hues like Elderberry and Hawthorne Rose offering a subtle show of strength. Resourceful combines complimentary blue and orange colors into a single palette "that you just can't avoid looking at," says Eiseman. TECH-nique is a nod to technology, with bright turquoise, pinks, and purples balanced by Brilliant White and Frosted Almond. Far-Fetched "embraces many cultures" and features warm, earthy hues like Rooibos Tea and Cornsilk Yellow. Intricacy is chock full of metallics, which Pantone now considers neutrals, with Holly Berry Red and yellow Sulfur adding some drama to the mix. Last but certainly not least, Intensity is an eclectic mix of strong, powerful, and sophisticated colors that are anchored by black and gold.

Well, there you have it — all the predicted 2018 paint color trends. With all of these paint colors and palettes, there's surely something for everyone this coming year. And as for us? Don't mind us, we'll just be obsessing over these gorgeous new colors while we anxiously await Pantone's 2018 Color of the Year announcement.Written by Amanda Barkley. Designer at Rae Duncan Interior Design